Guest Speakers for 2007/2008
Mal Meninga
Mal is one of Australia's greatest rugby league identities. As a player he was a legendary centre. He has made the most appearances and scored the most points of any player in the green and gold jersey and has been inducted into the Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame.
Meninga has previously coached the Canberra Raiders and is the current coach of the all-conquering XXXX Queensland State of Origin team.
Born in Bundaberg, Meninga is an Australian South Sea Islander, a descendant of plantation workers recruited or blackbirded to work in the Queensland sugar industry in the late 19th century. He is an official spokesperson for the South Sea Islander community.
Meninga was appointed coach of the Canberra Raiders in 1997, succeeding three time premiership winner Tim Sheens, but achieved only moderate success.
In 2000 Meninga was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for his contribution to Australia's international standing in rugby league.
The following year he received the Centenary Medal "for service as a role model and inspiration as a rugby league player of the highest standard".
Matthew Elliott replaced Meninga as the Raiders coach in 2002.
Meninga left Canberra and returned to Queensland in 2005 opening several successful business' including a fruit and vegetable wholesale business in the Brisbane Markets, and several Strathfield Car Sound outlets.
In late 2005,he was announced as the new Queensland State of Origin coach, replacing Michael Hagan.
He made a successful debut as the Maroons coach in the 2006 Rugby League State of Origin series, guiding Queensland to a 2-1 series victory, its first outright series victory since 2001.
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Michael Groom
"He has been close to tragedy many times, including the disastrous 1996 Everest attempt in which eight climbers died"
Michael Groom is a man of extraordinary courage and determination. Revered by the world over, Michael has conquered five of the globe's highest mountains without the aid of bottled oxygen.
Michael was only five when he decided to climb Mount Everest. When he shared his dream with his teacher and classmates they laughed at him. His teacher told him that he would never climb Mount Everest as it was "too hard".
Well the teacher was wrong and so were the classmates. Michael Groom climbed Mount Everest in 1993.
But Michael's climb of Everest was no ordinary climb because in 1987, while climbing the world's third highest mountain, Kangchenjunga, he encountered a disaster every mountain climber fears - frostbite. He lost a third of both feet and was told to forget about an active, outdoor life.
By 1990 he had not only taught himself to walk again, he was back climbing the Himalayas.
In 1999 he achieved his goal of climbing all five ofthe world's highest mountains. Michael was a guide on Rob Hall's Everest team, and of all those in their team who reached the summit, only he and "Into Thin Air" author Jon Krakauer survived.
In 1997 Michael's autobiography "Sheer Will" was released and again in 1999 and 2000. A documentary was made from the book and screened nationally by the Seven Network in April 2000.
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Karni Liddell - March 7, 2008 (midday-4pm)
Karni Liddell is a successful and respected Paralympic swimmer. A very attractive young woman, she was featured in "Inside Sport" in 2000.
By just 21 years of age, Karn Liddell has already carved her presence on the international swimming scene.
At the age of 12 she first represented her state of Queensland at the Pan Pacific School Championships and at the age of 17 she was representing Australia at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games.
For the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games Karni trained six days a week under coach Rick Van Derzant to achieve her future goals, including to set a new World Record in the 400m Freestyle and to win Gold in the 100m, 400m and 4 x 50m Freestyle events at the Sydney Paralympic Games.
For Karni Sydney 2000 was not to be what she had hoped only a Bronze because of injury, Commentators has expected her to win 3 Golds.
Born in Rockhampton, Queensland, Karni commenced swimming at the age of 3 as a form of strength building to enhance her muscle development. Her first swimming competition was at the age of 8. Born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (a muscle wasting disability which affects all body muscles including internal)
Karni has defied Doctors and the odds to have not only lived to the age of 20 but to have successfully embarked on an international sporting career.
Employed by Westpac under the Paralympic Employment Program, when she is not training Karni spends a great deal of her time speaking to community and corporate groups. She promotes sport for people with disabilities, highlights her own life and achievements and encourages her audiences to strive for whatever it is they want to do and achieve.
Karni commenced studying for her Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) in 2001 at Bond University. Karni holds every Australian record in her contested swimming events.
"Achieving things in life people say can't be done is one of the greatest pleasures in life. Never say never."
Kerry O'Keeffe - June 6, 2008 (midday-4pm)
Famous for his wit, wisdom, and penchant for sport, Kerry O'Keeffe is a favourite among audiences who enjoy his unique style and presentation. O'Keeffe is a natural entertainer.
With his larger-than-life personality, this former Test cricketer enjoys a highly successful media career. His quick and wicked humour, knowledge and interest in all things sport won him a gig as a regular guest on the popular TV show "The Fat". Since then, he has never been very far from centre stage in the media.
As a speaker, Kerry O'Keeffe has an excellent range. He has a very individual style, combining comedy with his passionate and inspiring addresses on motivation. From his personal kit bag of hilarious sporting yarns, he captures the attention of any audience and holds it. His motto,"Being the best you can be", is put into practice in everything he undertakes. He is an inspiring speaker, a consummate performer, and an entertaining commentator.
Kerry O'Keeffe's interest in sport has never waned. He continues strong links with Australia's favourite game as a commentator for ABC Radio and as a specialist tutor to aspiring young leg spinners at the AIS Cricket Academy in Adelaide and the young NSW Emerging Blues.
He understands all facets of the game and its administration, from performance at the elite level, to its grassroots operations. The inevitable highs and lows throughout his sporting and personal life have given Kerry O'Keeffe a special understanding of being human. His failure to adapt to the setbacks and adversity of his initial cricket after-life forged a strong character with valuable insights into the impact of the sporting spotlight that he shares generously and eloquently with others. He has a firm belief in the value of honest communication and mentoring in the work place and on the sporting field.
O'Keeffe's vast knowledge forms the basis of an anecdote-spiced presentation sure to have you laughing your socks off one minute and searching within the next. The man with the most distinctive laugh in the electronic media is both entertaining and provocative.
Here are just a few of the many highlights of O'Keeffe's career:
- ABC Radio Test cricket and One Day International Commentator
- Regular guest and commentator in the media, such as on the sports panel show "The Fat"
- Chiefwriter "Inside Edge" cricket magazine
- Level III cricket coach
- Elite coach for NSW Emerging Blues Squad
- Specialist spin bowling coach for AIS Cricket Academy in Adelaide
